By Ronnie Nathanielsz
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer, who disclosed that WBO light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes wants to fight in his hometown in Bacolod City sometime in November, isn’t too sure whether Nietes - who is the longest reigning Filipino world champion - should move up in weight next year and face one of the big names in a lucrative money fight.
Aldeguer agreed with our observation that Nietes, who makes the 108 pound limit with no problem, is perhaps too small to fight as a flyweight at 112 pounds.
He said he would “talk to strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson” before making a decision on whether Donnie should move up in weight.
Aldeguer is scheduled to fly to Los Angeles on Tuesday to meet with representatives of the StubHub Center in Carson City, California where ALA Promotions will launch its first big fight card in the United States later this year.
Having covered boxing for over 50 years and having seen some of the greatest Filipino fighters such as Gabriel “Flash” Elorde and Manny Pacquiao train we believe that Nietes ,who is 33 years of age, needs a shorter training camp of around six weeks and more rest after a fight which ALA boxing patron Tony Aldeguer said he gets, while he engages in cross-training playing basketball and cycling during his build-up to a fight.
The renowned boxing patron agreed with us that Nietes should stay at 108 pounds because he was too small and could even fight as a minimumweight since he has no weight issues.